Finland will double its support for green energy projects in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia from 4.9 mil. Euro to 9.1 mil. Euro. Finnish Ambassador to Thailand, H.E. Mrs. Sirpa Mäenpää, made the announcement on 31 January 2012 at the 2nd Regional Annual Forum of The Energy and Environment Partnership Programme in the Mekong Region (EEP Mekong) held in Bangkok.

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http://www.scandasia.com

“Saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty and advancing economic growth” is an ambitious goal by any measure but that is what South Korean diplomat, Ban Ki-moon, has set out to do for the next five years of his term as United Nations Secretary General with the help of governments, the private sector, and civil society. (Photo: DG Yumkella and UN SG Ban Ki-moon in Abu Dhabi)

Outlining his “five global imperatives – five generational opportunities and two enablers” that will shape his global agenda and build the world of the future; a world where economic prosperity, freedom, justice and peace reign, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has challenged the world community to forge a common partnership. “Together, no challenge is too large. Together, nothing is impossible,” he said.

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In the midst of all the hue and cry about electricity tariffs, the core challenges of our energy crisis are not being addressed. Lately a lot of effort, and rhetoric to boot, has been put on Uganda’s electricity infrastructure, which is well and good, except that electricity is only a small part of the nation’s energy needs.

The Bujagali power project is due (its commissioning has been postponed more than once in the last few months; its commencement had been promised, messiah-like, for many years till it finally took shape). The vaunted Karuma project is expected to take 10 years to complete, once it begins. The emphasis is on hydro-power, not surprising, given that Uganda is one of the best-watered nations on earth.

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http://www.monitor.co.ug

Fears that wind turbines make people sick are ''not scientifically valid'', and the arguments mounted by anti-wind farm campaigners are unconvincing, according to confidential briefings given to the state government by NSW Health.

Documents obtained under freedom-of-information laws show that health officials repeatedly warned ministers last year that there was no evidence for ''wind turbine syndrome'', a collection of ailments including sleeplessness, headaches and high blood pressure that some people believe are caused by the noise of spinning blades.

But the department's advice contrasts with the view of the Planning Minister, Brad Hazzard, who was responsible for draft guidelines, released in December, that significantly tighten the approvals process.

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http://www.canberratimes.com.au

The United Nations has taken a new initiative to promote renewable energy, considering its potential to alleviate poverty across the world, according to a top UN official.

The UN declared 2012 the ‘International Year of Sustainable Energy for All' and Ban Ki-moon, the secretary general, has also taken an initiative in the same direction, said Sha Zukang, under-secretary general of the UN.

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http://gulfnews.com

Bamboo, a plant not often associated with Africa due to it not exploited, may be the key to combating soil degradation and massive deforestation on the continent. The plant can be used as an alternative source of energy.

A partnership among African nations and communities, the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) and China are working to substitute bamboo charcoal and firewood for forest wood on which 80 percent of the rural population in sub-Saharan Africa depend for their fuel needs.

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http://www.businessghana.com

The United Nations has designated 2012 as the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All. Broadening access to sustainable energy is essential in solving many of the world's challenges including food production, food security and poverty. For a rapidly developing economy such as India it is all the more critical that there is sustained production and consumption of energy but it is done in a manner that advances environmental sustainability.

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http://www.thehindubusinessline.com

Cooperation with Pertamina Geothermal Energy to develop 150 MW of clean renewable energy in Sumatra and Sulawesi islands, and displace coal-based power generation. The World Bank will be working with Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE) – a subsidiary of state-owned company Pertamina – to boost power generation capacity by up to 150 MW in geothermal fields in Ulubelu, South Sumatra and Lahendong, North Sulawesi.

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http://worldbank.org

The access to energy is one of the cornerstones for social and economic development and poverty alleviation.

In the rural areas of some African countries, the share of people with access to modern energy services is as low as 1 percent. In order to reach these rural poor, sustainable concepts for energy services will have to be developed.

By now, many renewable energy technologies have reached competitive levels with conventional energy sources; they provide social stability through local empowerment and public participation, and protect the environment.

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http://www.gtglobaltrader.com

The cost of wind power equipment installation in China dropped by 12.5 percent on the year in 2010 to US$463 per kilowatt, Greenpeace International and the Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association write in a recent report.

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http://www.china-briefing.com